• -:. . -.--,.• •-.,,,, , Lf . - •--:_ ...---..: , -..... . . - . . . . . . .. . • ~. - .. . :_ ,f;,. ... . ... .• 4. , ; ..- '.:•• fIT; "! :-•-; . :;.:.' - . :. . ~ .. • • . t .. . . . _ . - .. . - . . _... _ .. . . .. . • . .. • -. ..-+ . . . . . . _ .• . . -.. . . . . • I . ..•-.- . . - . . . =ME VOL. LIV. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. To the Senate and House of Representatives: Fnuow-crrlzENS:—The interest with which the people of the Republic anticipate the as- sembling of Congress, and the fulfilment on that occasion, of the duty imposed upon a new President, is one of the best evidences of their capacity to realize the hopes of the founders of a political system at once complex and symmetrical. 'While the different branches of the government are, to a certain extent, inde pendent of each other, the duties of all, alike, have direct reference to the source of,power.. Fortunately under this system, no man is so high A i and none so hilmble, in the scale of pub lic station, as to escape from the scrutiny, or to be exempt from the responsibility which - all official functions imply. Upon the justice and intelligence of the masses, in a government thus organized, is the Sole reliance of the confederacy - , and the only security for honest and earnest devotion to its interests, against the usurpations and-encroach ments of power ou the one hand; and the as saults. of personal ambition on the other. The intetest, of which I have spoken, is inseparable from an inquiring, - self-governing community, but stimulated, doubtless, at the present time, by the unsettled condition of our relations with several foreign powers; by the new obligations resulting from a sudden ex telision of the field of enterprize ; by the spirit with which that field has been entered, and the amazing energy with which its resources for Meeting the demands of humanity have been developed. . Although disease, -assuming at one time the characteristics of a wide spread and devasta ting pestilence, haS left its sad traces upon seine portions of our country, we have still the most abundant cause for reverent thankfulness to God for an accumulation of signal mercies showered upon us as a nation. It is well that a conciousness of rapid advancement and in creasing strength he habitually associated with an abiding sense of dependence upon Him who holds in his hands the destiny of men and of nations. Recognising the wisdom of the broad princi ple of absolute religious toleration proclaimed in our fundamental law, and rejoicing in the benign influence which it has exerted upon our social and political condition, I should shrink from a clear duty, didifail to express my deep est conviction, that we can place no reliance upon any apparent progress, if it be not sus tained by national integrity, resting upon the great truths affirmed and illustrated by divine revelation. In the midst of our sorrow for the afflicted and suffering, it has been consoling to see how promptly disaster made true neighbors of districts and cities separated widely from each other, and cheering to watch the strength of that common bend of brotherhood, which unites all hearts, in a ll parts of this Union, when danger threatens from abroad, or calamity impends over us at home. Uur diplomatic relations with foreign powers have ' undergone no essential change since the adjournment of last Congress. With some of them, questions of a disturbing character are still pending, but there are good reasons to be lief° that these may all be amicably adjusted. For some years past, Great Britain has so construed the first article of the convention of the 20th of April, 1818, in regard to the fisheries on the northeastern coast, as to ex clude our citizens from some of the fishing grounds, to which they freely resorted for near ly, a quarter of a century subsequent to the ,date of that treaty. The United States have acquiesced in this construction, but have al ways claimed for their fishermen all the rights Which they had so long enjoyed without moles tation. With "a view to remove all difficulties on the subject, to extend the rights of our fishermen beyond the limits fixed by the convention of 1818, and to regulate trade between the Unit ed States and British North American prov inces, a negotiation has been opened, with a fair prospect of a favorable result. -To pro tect our fishermen in the enjoyment of their rights, and prevent collision between them and British fishermen, I deemed it expedient to sta tion a naval force in that quarter ditring the fishing season. Embarrasing questions have also arisen be- - tween the two governments in regard to Cen tral America. Great Brittain has proposed to settle them by an amicable arrangement, and our minister at London is instructed to enter into negotiations on that subject. A commission for adjusting the claims of our citizens'against Great Brtain,i and thoSe of British subjectsagainst the United States, organized under the convention of the Bth of Febuary last is now sitting in London for the transaction of business. It is in many respects desireable that the boundary line between the United States and the British provinces in the Northwest, as de signated in the convention of the 15th ofJune, 1846, and especially that part which seperates the Territory of Washington from the British possesions on the north, should be traced acid marked. I therefore present the subject to your notice. With France our relations continue on the most friendly footing. The extensive com merce between the eStates and that country might, it is conceived, be released from some unnecessary restrictions, to the mutal advan tage of both panties. With a view to this ob ject, some progress has been made in negoti ating a treaty of commerce and navigation. Independently of our valuable trade with Spain, we have important political relations with her, growing out of our neighborhood to the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, I am hap py to state that since the last Congress no at tempts have been made by unauthorised expe ditions within the U. States, against either of those colonies. 8 7hould any movement be man ifested within our limits , all the means at my -command will be vigorously used to repress it. Several annoying circumstances have taken place at Havanna - . or in the vicinity of the Is. laud of Cuba, between our citizenssund the Spanish authorities. Considering the proxim ity of that island to our shores—lying, as it does, in. the track of trade between some of our principal cities—and - the suspicious vigi ilance with which foreign intercourse, partic ularly that with the United States, is there guarded, a repetition of such occurrences may well be apprehended. As no diplomatic inter ference is allowed between our Consul at Ha vana and the Captain General of Cuba, ready' explanations cannot be made, or prompt re dress afforded, where injury has resulted, All complaint on the part of our citizens, under the present arrangement, must be, in the first place, presented to-this government, and then referred to Spain. Spain again refers it to her local authorities in Cuba for investigation, and postpones an answer till she has heard from thoseau horities. To avoid thes irritating and vexatious delays, a proposition as been made to provide for a direct appeal or redress to the Captain-General by our Con , in behalf of our injured .fellow citizens. hitherto, the government of Spain, has declined to enter into •any such arrange ment. This course on her part is deeply re gretted ; for, without some arrangement of this kind, the good understanding between the two countries may be exposed to occasional inter ruption. Our minister at Madrid is instructed to renew the proposition, and to press it again on her Catholic Majesty's government. - - For several 'years Spain has been calling the attention of this government to a, claim for los ses, by some of her Subjects, in the case of the schooner Amistad. This claim is 'believed to rest on the obligations imposed by our existing treaty with that country. Its justice was ad . mitted,in our diplomotic correspondence with ' the. Spanish government, as early as March, 1847 ; and one of my predecessors, in his annu al message of that year, recommended that provision should be made for its payment. In January last it was again submitted to Con gress by the Executive. It has received a fa vorable consideration by committees of both branches; but as yet there has been no final ac tion upon it. I conceive that good faith re quires its prompt adjustment, and I present it to your early and favorable consideration. Martin Koazta,s Hungarian by birth, came to this country-in 1850, and declared his intention, in due form of law, to become a citizen of the United. States. After remaining here nearly two years, he visited Turkey. While at Smyrna be was forcibly seized, taken on board an Aus trian brig of war, then lying In the harbor at that place, and there confined in irons with the avowed design to take him into the dominions of Austria. Our Consul at Smyrna and legation at Constantinople interposed for his release, but their efforts wore ineffectual. While thus tm prisoned ; Commander Ingraham, with the Un ited States ship St. Louis, arrived at Smyrna, and after inquiring into the circumstances of the case, came to the conclusion that Koszta was entitled to the protection of this government, and took energetic and prompt measures for his release. Under an arrangement between the agents of the United States and of Austria, he was transferred to the custody of the French consul.general of Smyrna, there to remain until be should be disposed of by the mutual agree ment-of the consuls of the respective govern ments at that place. Pursuant to that agreement he has been re leased, and is now on his way to the U. States. The Emperdr of Austria has made fhe conduct of our officers who, took part in this transaction a subject of giave complaint. Regarding Kusiza as still his' subject, and claiming a right to seize him within the limits of the Turkish empire, he has demanded of this government its consent to the surrender of the prisoner, a disavowal of the sets of its agents, and satisfaction for the alleged outrage. After a careful consideration of the case, I came to the conclusion that Kostza was seized withoht legal authority at Symrna: that he was wrongfully detained on board of the A us• trian brig olOvar; that at the flume of his seizure he was ChOLIWI with the nationality of the Uni ted States; and that the acts of our officers, un• der the circuthifutuces of the ease, were justifia ble, and their'eunduct has been fully approved by me, and a cainpliance with the several de mands of the Emperor of Austria has been de clined. For a more hill account of this transaction and my views in regard to it, I refer to the corres pcnidenc • between the charge d'affaires of Aus tria and,the Secretary of State, which is here• with transmitted. The principles and policy, therein maintained on the part of the United States, will, whenever a proper occasion occurs be-applied and enforced. The condition 91 China, at this time, renders it probable that some important changes will oc cur in that vast empire, which will lead to a more unrestricted 'intercourse with it. The commissioner to that country, who has been re cently„appointed, is instructed to avail himself of all occasions to open and extend our commer cial relations, not only with the empire of Chi na, but with other Asiatic'natioas. In 1852 an expedition was sent to Japan, un der the command of Commodore Perry, for the purpose of opening commercial intercourse with that island. Intelligence has been received of his arrival there, and of his having made known to the Emperor of Japan the object of his visit ; but it is not yet ascertained how far the Emperor will be disposed to abandon his re strictive policy, and open that populous Country to a commercial intercourse with the United States. It has been my earnest desire to maintain friendly intercourse with the governments upon this continent, and to aid them in preserving good understanding among themselves. With Mexico, a dispute has arisen as to the true boun dary line between otir territory of New Mexico and the Mexican State of Chihuahua. A for- . mer commissioner of the United States, employ• ed in running that line pursuant to the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, made a serious mistake in determining the initial point on the Rio Grande; but, inasmueh as his decision was clearly a departure from the directions for tra cing the boundary contained in that treaty, and was not concurred in by the surveyor appoint ed on tbe part of the U. States, whose concur rence was necessary to give validity to that de cision, this government is not concluded there by ; but that of Mexico takes a different view of the subject. There are also other questions of considerable magnitude pending between the two republics. Our Minister in Mexico has ample instructions to adjust them. Negotiations have been opeued but sufficient progress has not been made there in to enable me to speak of the probable result. Impressed with the importance of maintaining amicable relations with that republic, and of yielding with liberality to all her just elaims, it is reasonable to expect that an arrangement mu tually satisfactory to both countries may be con eluded, and a lasting friendship between them confirmed and perpetuated. Congress having provided for a Lull mission to the States of Central America, a minister was sent thither in July last. As yet lie has had time to visit 'only one of these states, `Nicaragua,) where he was received in the most friendly manner. It is hoped that his presence and good offices will have a benign effect in composins the discussions which prevail among them, and in establishing still more intimate and friendly relations between them respectively, and be ween each of them and the United States. i Considering the vast regions of this continent, and the number of states which would be made by the free navigation of the Amazon, particular attention has been given to this subject. Brazil, through whose territories if passes into the ocean, has hitherto persisted in a policy so restrictive, in regard to the use of this river, as to obstruct, and nearly ex• ciude,• foreign intercourse, with the states which lie upon its tributaries and upper bran ches. Our minister to that country is instructed to obtain a relaxation of that policy, and o use his efforts to induce the. Brazilian government to open to common use, under proper safeguards this great natural highway for international trade. Several of the South American Statea are deeply interested in this attempt to secure the free navigation of 'the Amazon, and it is reasonable to expect their co-operation in the measure. As the advantages of free commer cial intercourse among nations is better under stood, more liberal views are generally enter tained as to the common rights of all to the free use of these means which nature has provided for international coMmunication. To these more liberal and 'enlightened views, it is hop ed that Brazil will conform her policy, and re move all unnecessary restrictions upon the free use of a river, which traverses so many States and so large a part of the continent. I am hap py to, inform you that the republic of Para guay and the Argentine Confedoration have yielded to the liberal policy still resisted by Brazil, in regard to the navigable rivers with in their respective territories. Treaties em bracing this subject among others have been negotiated with these governments, which will be submitted to the Senate at the present oc casion. ' A new branch of commerce, important to the agricultural interests of the United States, has, within a few years past been opened with Peru. Notwithstanding the inexhaustible de posits of guano upon the islands of that coun• try, considerable difficulties are experienced in obtaining the requisite supply. Measures have been taken to remove these difficulties, and to secure a more abundant importation of the article. Unfortunately, there has been a serious collision between oar citizens who have resorted to the Chinoha Islands for it, and the Peruvian authorities stationed there. Redresses for the outrages committed by the latter was promptly demanded by our minister at Lima. This subject is now under consider ation, and there is reason to believe that Peru is disposed to offer adequate indemnity to the aggrieved parties . We are thus not only at peace with all for eign countries, but, in regard to political 111'- 1 fairs, are exempt from any cause of serious disquietude in our domestic relations. The controversies, which have agitated the country heretofore, are passing away with the causes which produced them and the p.,,,i.ni which they had awakened ;. or, if any truce et them remains, it may be reasonably hoped that it will only be perceived* the zealous rival ry of all good citizens to testify their respect for the rights of the. States, their devotion to the Union, and their common determination that each one ,of the States, its institutions, its welfare, and its domestic peace shall be heli. alike secure under the sacred aegis of the con-. stitution. 1 This new league of amity and mutual confi dence and support, into which the people of the republic have entered, happily affords in "1. Rol. R. k .111 ' ' l l ' 1:11 1, " liL fn. 1' gi „1„1,11r: THE GRAMM' BEWARD."—Buttuuma. f CITY OF LANCASTER, TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 13, 1853. ducemeut and opportunity for the adoption of a more comprehensive and unembarrassed line of policy and action, as to the great . material interests of the country, whether regarded in themselves or in connection with the powera of the civilized world. The United Stites have continued gradually and continually to expand through acquisitions of territory which, how much soever some of them may have been questioned, are now uni versally seen and admitted to have been wise in policy, j us t in character and a great element in the advancement pf our country, and with it, of the human rad, in freedom, in prosperi ty, and in happiness. The thirteen states have grown to be thirty-one, with relations reaching co Europe on the one side, and on the other to the distant realms of Asia. 1. am deeply sensible of the immense respon-, sibility which the present magnitude of the re public, and the diversity and multiplicity of its interests, devolves upon me : the allevia. Lion of which, so far as relates to the immedi ate conduct of the public business, is first, in my reliance on the wisdom and patriotism of the two Houses of Congress: and secondly, in the directions afforded me by the principles of public pulicy,affirmed by our tattlers of the e poch. of 1198. sanctioned by long experience, and consecrated anew by the overwhelming voice 01 the people of the United States lietturi tug to these principlesoThich constifutetner organ ie basis of Union, we perceive that, Vast as ale the luta:toms and the dial, ill the letteral gov ernment, vested in, or entrusted to, us three great departments, the legitlattYtt, e;eeuu ve,and yet the substantive powei, the s polar It.ine. and the large capacities far social Mai material ileVel oi•eivielit, exists to the it:Sin:Mire :A.irteS, which, all being of theniseives well constituted republics, an the:, preceeded; so they alone iris eapable 0r per pe Aim:newt I 'aunt. Elie federal govertitnetiL has its appropriate line of acuou ill the epecilie and hunted powers coot:arm" on it by the constitution, chiefly as to those things in which tire Mates hero a COillali/11 interest to their relations to title another, anti to foreign govern ments; while the great mass of interest which be long to educated men, the ordinary. busiiiei.s of lip 'ho springs of industry, all the personal and doutestie affairs of society, rest securely upon the ' oetieral reserved powers of thepeople of the sev eralZ'Aittes. There is the effective dewLeracy of the 11S/11011, and there the vital essence Cl its being and its greatness Of the practical consequences which flow from the nature of the federal government, the primary one is the duty of administertng with integrity and fidelity the high trust reposed to it by the Constitution, especially In the applica tion of the public funds, as drawn by taxation from the people, and appropriated to specific ob jects by Congress. Happily I have no occasion to suggest any radical changes in the financial policy at the government. Ours is almost, If not absolutely, the solitary power of Christen dom having a surplus revenue, drawn immedi• ately from unposts on commerce, and therefore measured by the spontaneous e nterprise and national prosperity of this country, with such In direct relation to agric ulture, manulectures and the products of the earth and sea, a s to violate no constitutional doctrine, and yet . vigorously promote the general welfare. Neither as to the sources of the public treasure, n or unto the manner of keeping and managing it; dues any grave controversy now prevail, there being a general acquiescence in the wisdom of the pres ent system. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury will exhibit, in detail, the state of the public finances, and the condition of the various branches of the public service administered by that department of the government.. The revenue of the country, levied almost in sensibly io the taxpayer, goes on from year to year increasing beyond either the interests or the prospective wants of the government. At the close of the fiscal year ending June 80, 1852, there remained in the Treasury a balance of $14,632,135. The public revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1853, amount ed to $58,931,d0 from customs, and to $2,- 405,708 from public lands and other miscella neous sources, amounting together to $61,337,- 574 ; while t he public expenditures for the same period, exclusive of payments on ac count of the public debt, amounted to $43,- 554,262; leaving a balance of $32,425,447 of receipts above o expendi tures. The fact, of increasing surplus in the Trea sury, became the subject of anxious considera tion at a very early period of, my administra tion, and the path of duty in regard to it seemed to me obvious and clear, namely : first, to apply the surplus revenue to the discharge of the public debt, so far as it could judiciously be done; and, secondly, to devise means for the gradual reduction of the revenue to the standard of the public exigencies: Of these objects the first has been in the course of accomplishment, in a manner and in a degree highly satisfactory. The amount of the public debt, of all classes, was on the 4th Of March, 1553,-eixtynine millions, one hund red and ninety thousand and thirty-seven dol• late; payments on account of which have been made, since that period, to the amount of twelve millions seven hundred and three thou sand three hundred and twenty-nine dollars, leaving unpaid, and in the continuous course of liquidation, the sum of fifyty•eix millions four hundred and eighty-six thousand seven hund dred and eight dollars. These payments, al though made at the market price of the res tective classes of stocks, have been effected rea dily, and to the great advantage of the treasu ry, and have at the same time proved of signal utility in the relief they have incidentally af forded to the money market and to the indus trial and commercial pursuits of the country. The second of the above mentioned objects, that of the reduction of the tariff, is of great importance, and the plan suggested by the Sec retary of the Treadury, which is to reduce the duties on certain articles now taxed, and espe cially such as enter into manufactures, and are not largely, or at all, produced in the country, is commended to your candid and careful con sideration. You will find in the repott of the Secretary of the Treasury, also, abundant proof of the en tire adequacy of the present fiscal system to meet all the requirements of the public service, and that, while properly administered, it oper ates to the advantage of the community in or dinary business relations. I respectfully ask your attention to sundry suggestions of improvements in the settlement of accounts, especially as regards the large sums of outstanding arrears due to the govern ment and of other reforms in the administrative action of his department, which are indicated by the Secretary; as also to the progress made in the construction of marine hospitals, custom houses, and of a new mint in California and assay office in the city of New York, heretofore provided for by Congress; and also to the emi nently successful progress of the Coast Survey, and of the Light house Board. Among the objects meriting your attention will be important recommendations from the Secretaries of War and Navy. lam fully sat isfied Wilt the navy of the United States is not in a condition of strength and efficiency com mensurate with the magnitude of our commer cial interests; and commend to your especial attention the suggestions on this subject, made by the Secretary of the Navy. I respectfully submit that the army, which, under our system) must always be regarded, with the highest in- erect, as a naclethi around which the volunteer forces of the nation gather in the hour of dan ger, requires augmentation, or modification, to adapt it to the present extended limits and fron-. tier relations of the country, and the condition of the Indian tribes in the interior of the con tinent ; the necessity of which will appear in the communications of the Secretaries of War and the Interior. In the administration of the Post-Office De partment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1853, the gross expenditure was seven million nine hundred and fifty-six dollars ; and the eross receipts, during tge same period, five Million nine hundred and forty-two thousand seven hundred and thirty-fourdollars , showing that the current revenue failed to meet the current expenses of the department by the sum of two million torty-two thousand and thirty-two dol lars. The causes which, under the present aye, tem and laws, led inevitably to this result, are fully explained by the report of the Postmaster- General; one great cause being the enormous rates the department has been compelled to pay for mail service tendered by tailroad companies. The exhibit in the. reporrof the Postmtuner - • • General of the income and expenditures by mail steamers will be found peculiarly interesting, and of .a character to demand- the immediate action of Congress - . Numerous and flagrant frauds upon the Pen sion' flureau have beep brought iojight , within the last year, and in some instances, merited punishments inflicted; but t . unfortunately, in nth. era, guilty parties have escaped, not through the want of sufficient evidence to warrant 'a convic, tiun, but in consequence of the provision 'of lim itation in the existing laws. -.- From the nature oithese claims, the remote ness of the tribunals to pass upon them, and the mode in which the proof is, of necessity, furnish ed, temptations to crime have been greatlystim elated by the obviouth difficulties of detection.— The detects in the law upon ibis subject are so apparent,•and so fatal to the ends ofjustice, that your early action relating to it is most desirable. During the last fiscal year, 9,819,411 acres of the public lands have been surveyed, and 10,363. 891 acres brought into market. Within the earns period, the sales by public purchase and 'private entry amounted to 1,083,495 acres; located un der military bounty land warrants, 6,142,360 acres; located under other certificates, 9,427 acre's ceded to the states as swamp lands, 16,648,253 acres; selected for railroad and other objects, un der acts of Congress, 1,427,457 acres. Total amount of lands disposed of within the fiscal year, 25,346,992 acres, which is an increase in quantity sold, and located under land warrants and grants, of 12,231,818 acres over the fiscal fear immediately preceding, l'he quantity of mild sold during the second and third quarters of 1852, was 334,451 acres. The amount received therefor, was 623,687 dollars. The quantity sold the second and third quarters of the year 185 S, was 1,609 919 acres; and the amount received therefor, 2,226,876 dollars. The witple number of land warrants issued en der existing laws, prior to the 30th of September last, was two hundred and sixty•six thousand-and forty•two; of which there were outstanding, at that date, sixty-six thousand nine hundred and forty•seven. The quantity of land required to satisfy these outstanding warrants, is lour mil liop, seven hundred and seventy-eight ,thous and, one hundred and twenty acres, Warrants have been issued to 30th of Sep tember last, under the act of 11th February, 1847, calling for twelve millions eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand two hundred and eighty acres; under acts of September 18, 1850, and March 25, 1852, calling for twelve million five hundred and fivo thousand three hundred acres; making a total of twenty-five million three hundred and eighty-four thousand six hun dred and forty acres. It is believed that experience has verified the wisdom and justice of the present system, with •egard to the public domain, in most essential particulars. You will perceive, front the report of the Sec , retary of die Interior, that opinions, which have often been expressed in relation to the operation of the land system, as not being a source of rev enue to the federal treasury, were erroneous.— The nett profits front the sale of the publi lands to June 30, 1853, amounted to the sum of fifty-three million two hundred and eighty-ninec thousand four hundred and sixty-five dollars. I recommend the extension ut the land system over the Territories of Utah and Now Mexico, with ouch modifications as their peculiarities may require. Regarding our public domain as chiefly value ble;to provide homes for the industrious and en terprising, I am not prepared to recommend any essential change in the land system. except by modifications 111 favor of the actual settler, and an extension of the pre-emption principle in certain cases, for reasons, and on grounds, which will be fully developed in the reports to be laid before you. Congress, representing the proprietors of the territorial domain, and charged especially with power to dispose of territory belonging to the United States, has, for a lung course of years beginning with the administration of Mr. Jet, fersun, exercised the power to construct roads within life territories; and there are so many and ovious distinctions between this exercise of power and that of making roads within the States, that the former hae never been con sidered subject to such objections ail apply to the latter, and such may now be considered the settled construction of the power of the federal government upon the subject. Numerous applications have been made, and no doubt will continue to be, made fee grants of land in aid of the constitution of railways, It is not believed to be within the intent and meaning of the constitution, that tffe power to dispose of the public domain, should be used other wise than might be expected from a pru dent proprietor, and therefore, that grants of land to aid in the construction of roaus should be restricted to cases, where it would be for the interest of a proprieto'r, under like circum stances, thus to contribute to the oonstruction of these works. For the practical operations of such grants thus far, in advancing the in terests of the States in which the winks are located, and at the same time the substantial interests of all the other States, by enhancing the value and promoting the rapid sale of the public domain, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Interior. A careful examina tion, however, will show that this experience is the result of a just discrimination, uni will be far from affording encouragement to a reck less or indiscriminate extension of the prin ciple. I commend to your, favorable consideration the men of genius of our country, who, by their inventions and discoveries in science and art, have contributed largely to the Improve ments of the age, without in many alStUlleed, securing for themselves any adequate reward. For many interesting details upon this subject 1. refer you to the appropriate reports, and es pecially urge upon early attention the appar ently slight, but really important, modifications of existing laws therein suggested. The liberal spirit which has so long marked the action of Congress ,in relation to the Dis trict of Columbia will, I have no doubt, contin ue to be manifested. The erection of au asylum for the insane of the District of Columbia, and of the .army and navy of the United States, has been somewhat retarded by the great demand for materials and labor during the past summer; .but full preparation for the reception of patients, be fore the return of another winter, is anticipat ed; and there is the best reason to believe, from the plan and contemplated arrangements which have been devised, with the large ex pe rience furnished within the last few years in relation to the nature and treatment of the die- ease, that it will prove an asylum indeed to this most helpless and afflicted class of Suffer ers, and stand as a noble monument of wisdom and mercy. Under the act of Congress of August 31, 1852, and of March 3,1863, designed to secure for the cities of Washington and Georgetown an abundant supply of good and wholesome water, it became my duty to examine the re port and plans of the engineer who had charge of the surveys under the act first named. The best, if not the only plan, calculated to secure permanently the object sought, was that which contemplates taking the water from the Great Falls of the Potomac, and consequently, I gave it my approval. For the progress and present condition of this important work, and for its demands, so - far • as appropriations .are concerned, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War. The present judicial system of the United ' States has now been in operation for so long a period of time ; and has, in its general theory and much of its details, become so familiar to the country, and acquired so entirely the pub lic confidence,, that if modified in any respect, it should only be in those particulars which may adapt it:to the increased extent, popula tiOn, and legal business of the United States. In this relation, the Organization of the courts , is now confessedly inadequate to . the dudes. to I be performed by them ; inConsequence of I which, the States .of Florida, Wisconsin,.Towa, Texas, and California, and districts_of other States, are . in, - effect excluded from . the full benefits of_ the general system, by the functions of the.circuit court being devolved r on the dis trict judges in all those States, or parts of States. fan spirit-of theoonstitution and vAue'regard to • justice require that all the States of the Union should be placeden the MUM-Muting in regard, to. the judicial tribunals. I..thereforo commend .to your consideration this important subjset, which. in my judgment, demands the speedy . action of Con gress. I will preseitf . to - yew; if deemed desirable, a . _.... . . ...., plan, which Fam - ptepared to recommend, for - the enlargement and modification of the present judi cial system. The act of Congress establishing the Smithsoni an Institution, provided that the President of the United States, and otherepersons therein designat ed, shouldconstituto an —establishment" by that same, and that the members should hold statedand special meetings fur the supervision of the affairs of the Institution. The organisation not having ta ken place, it seemed to me proper that it should be effected without delay. This has been done.; and an occasion was thereby presented for inspecting the condition of the Institution, and appreciating its successful progress thus far, and its high prom ise or great and general usefulness. ' I have omitted to ask your favorable consid eration for the estimates of works of a local character in 27 of the 31 States, amounting to 1,764,600 dollars, because, independently of the grounds which have so`often been urged against the application of the federal revenue for works of this character, inequality with consequent injustice is inherent in the nature of the prop osition, and because theSplan has ptoved en tirely inadequate to the accomplishment of the objects sought. The rule of strict construction of all powers delegated by the States to the general govern ment has arrayed itself, from time to time, against the rapid progress of expenditures from the national tredsury onworks of a local char acter within the States Memorable as an epoch in the history of this subject is the mes sage of President Jackson, of the 27th of May, 1839 . , which met the, system of internal improve ments in its comparative infancy; but so rapid had-been its growth, that the projected appro priations in that year for works of this charac tea had risen to the alarming amount of more than one hundred millions of dollars. , In that message the President admitted the difficulty of bringing back the operations of the government to the construction of the con stitution set up in 1798, and marked it as an admonitory proof of the necessity of "guarding. that instrument with sleepless vigilance against the authority of precedents, which had not the sanction of its most plainly defined powers. Our government exists under a written com pact between sovereign States, uniting for specific objects, and with specific grants to their general agent. If, then, in the progress of its administration, there have been depar tures from the terms and intent of the compact, it is and will ever be, proper to refer back to the fixed standard which our fathers left us, and to.make a stern effort to conform our ac tion to it. ft 'would seem that the fact of a principle hav ing been resisted from the first by many of the wisest and most, patriotic .men of the republic, and a policy having provoked constant strife, without arriving at a conclusion which can be regarded as satisfactory to its most earnest advo cates, should suggest the injury whether there may not be a plan likely to be crowded by hap pier results. Without perceiving any sound dis tinction, or intending to assert any principles op posed to improvements needed for the protection of internal commerce, which does not equally apply to improvements upon the seaboard for the protection of foreign commerce, I submit to you, whether it may not be safely anticipated that, if the policy were once settled against appropri ations by the general government for local im provements for the benefit of commerce, locali ties requiring expenditures, would not, by modes and moans clearly legitimate and proper,raise the fund necessary for such constructions as the safety or other interests of their commerce might require. If that can be regarded as a system, which, in the experience of more than thirty years, has at no time so commanded the public judgment as to give it the character of a settled policy,—which, though it has produced seine works of conceded importance, has been attended with an expendi ture quite disproportionate to their value,—and has resulted in squandering large sums upon ob jects which have answered no valuable purpose, —the interests of all the States require it to be abandoned, unless hopes may be indulged for the future which find no warrant in the past. With an anxious desire for the completion of the works which are regarded by all good citizens with sincere interest, I have deemed it my duty to ask at your hands a deliberate reconsideration of the question, with a hope that, animated by a desire to promote the permanent and substantial interests of the country, your wisdom may prove equal to the task of devising and maturing a plan, which, applied to this subject, may promise some thing better than constant strife, the suspension of the powers of local enterprise, the exciting of vain hopes, and ,the disappointment of cherished expectations. In expending the appropriations made by the last Congress, several cases have arisen in rela tion to works for the improvement of harbors• which involve questions as to the right of soil and jurisdiction, and have threatened Conflict be, tweet' the authority of the State and general gov ernments. The right to construct a breakwater. jetty or dam would seem, necessarily, to carry I with it the power to protect and preserve such constructions. This can only be effectually done by having jurisdiction over the soil. But no clause of the constitution is found on which to rest the claim of the United States to exercise jurisdiction over the soil of a State, except that conferred by the eighth section of the first article of the constitution. It is, then, submitted, wheth er, in all cases where constructions are to be erected by the general gevernment, the right of soil should not first be obtained, and legislative provision be made to cover all such cases. For the progress made in the construction of roads within the territories, as provided for in the appropriations of the last Congress, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War. There is one subject of a domestic nature which, from its intrinsic importance,and the many interesting questions fo frtture policy which it in volves, cannot fail to receive your early attention. I allude to the means of communication by which different parts of the wide expanse of our coun try are to be placed in closer connection for pur poses both of defence and commercial intercourse, and more especially etch as appertain to the communication of those great divisions of the Union which lie on the opposite side of the RockS , Mountains. That the government has not been unmindful of this heretofore, is apparent from the aidit has afforded, through appropriations for mail facili ties and' other purposes. But the general subject will now present itself under aspects more im posing and more purely national, by reason of the surveys ordered by Congress, and now in the progress of completion, for communication by railway across the continent, and wholly within the limits of the United States. The power, to declare war, to raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a navy, and to call forth the militia to execute' the laws, sup press insurrections, and repel invasions, was con ferred upon Congress, as means to provide for the common defence, and to protect a• territory and population now widespread andvastly multi- plied. " As incidental to and indispensable for the exercise of this power, it must sometimes be ne cessary to construct military roads and protect harbors of refuge. To appropriations by Con gress for such objects, no sound objection can-be raised. Happily for our country, its peaceful policy and'rapidly•increasing, population impose upon us no urgent necessity for preparation, and leave but few trackless deserts between assailable points and a. patriotic people ever ready and generally able to protect them. These necessary links, the enterprise and energy of our people are steadily and boldly struggling to supply.- All experience affirms that, wherever private enterprise will avail, it is most wise for the general government to leave to that and individual watchfulness the locilion and execution drill means o I communi cation. The survey& before alluded to were designed to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the river Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. Parties are now in the field making explorations, where previous examine tions had not supplies sufficient data, and where there was the best reason to hope the' object sought : might be found. The means and time being both limited, it is not to be expected that all the accurate knowledge desired will be obtain ed, but it is-hoped that Cinch and important in. formation will be added to the stock previously possessed, and that parfial,if not full reports of the surveys ordered will be received, in tithe for transmission to the two houses of Congress, on or before the first Monday in February, next, as required by the act of appropriation. The magnitude of the enterprise contemplated nas aroused, and will doubtless continue to ex-, cite, a very general interest throughout the coun try. In its political, its commerciql, and its military bearings, it has varied, great, and in creasing claims to consideration. The heavy expense, the great delay, and, at times, fatality attending travel by either of the isthmus routes, have deinonstrated the advantage which would result from interterritorial communication by such safe and rapid means as a railroad would supply. ' These difficulties, which have been encoun tered in a period of peace, would be magnified and still further increased in time of war. But whilst the embarrassments already. encountered, and others under new contingencies to be antici pated, may 'serve strikingly to exhibit the impor tance of such a work, neither these, nor all con siderations combined, can have an. appreciable value, when weighed against the obligation strictly to adhere to the constitution, and faith fully-to execute the powers it confers. Within this limit and to the extent of the interest of the gOvernment involved, it would seem both expe dient and proper, if an economical and practice ble route shall be found, to aid, by all constitu tional means, in the construction of a road, which will unite, by speedy transit, the popula tions of the Pacific and Atlantic States. To guard against misconception, it should be remarked that, although the power to construct, or aid in the construction of, a road within the limits of a territory is not embarassed by that ques tion of jurisdictien which would arise within the limits of a State, it is nevertheless held to be of doubtful power, and more than doubtful propriety even within the limits of a territory, for the gen eral government to underatke to administer the affairs of a railroad, a canal, or other similar construction, and therefore that the connexion with a work of this character would be incidental rather than primary. I will only add, at present, that, fully appreciating the magnitude of the subject, and solicitous that the Atlantic and Pa cific shores of the republic may be bound together by inseparable ties of common interest, as well as of common fealty and attachment to the Union I shall be so disposed, so far as my own action is, concerned, to follow the lights of the constitution, as expounded and illustrated by those, whose opinions and expositions constitute the standard of my political faith in regard to the powers of the federal government. It is, I trust, not ne cessary to say, that no grandeur of entsrprize, and no present urgont inducement promising po pular favor, will lead me to disregard those lights or to depart from that path, which experience has proved to be safe, and which is now radiant wjth the glow of prosperity and legitimate consti tutional progress. We can afford to wait, but we cannot afford to overlook the ark of our secu rity. It is no part of my purpose to give prominence to any subject which may 'properly be regarded as set at rest by the deliberate judgment of the people. But while the present is bright with promise, and the future full of demand and in ducement for the exercise of active intelligence, the past can never be without useful lessons of admonition and instruction. If its dangers serve not as beacons, they will evidently fail to fulfil the object of a wise tlesign. Whets the grave shall have closed over all, who are now endeav oring to meet the obligations of • duty, the year 1850 will be recurred.to as a period filled with anx ious apprehension. A successful war had just terminated. Peace brought with it a vast aug mentation of territory. Disturbing questions arose, bearing upon, , the domestic institutions of one portion of the confederacy, and in volving the constitutional rights of the States. But, notwithstanding differencees of opinion and sentiment which then existed in relation to de tails and specific provisions, the acquiescence of distinguished citizens, whose devotion to the Union can never be doubted, has given renewed vigor to our institutions, and restored a sense of repose and security to the public mind throughout the confederacy. That this repose ia to suffer no shock during my official term, if I have power to avert it, those who placed me here 'may be assumed. The wisdom of men, who knew what independence cost—who had put all stake upon the issue of the revolutionary struggle—disposed of the subject to which I re fer, in the only way consistent with the union of these States, and with the march of power and prosperity which has made us what we are. It is a significant fact that from the adoption of the constitution until the officers and soldiers of the revolution had passed to their graves, or . through the infirmities of age and wounds, had ceased to to participate actively in public afficirs, there was notjnerely a quiet acquiescence in, but a prompt vindication of the constitutional rights of the states- The reserved powers were scrupulously re spiicted. No statesman put forth the narrow views of casuists to justify interference and agita tion, but the spirit of the compact was regarded as srzreil in the eyes of honor, and indispensable for the great experiment of civil liberty, which, environed by inherent difficulties, was yet borne forward in apparent weakness by a power supe rior to all obstacles, There is no condemnation, which the voice of freedom will not pronounce upon us, should_ we prove faithless to this great trust. While men inhabiting - different parts of thIS vast continent can no more be expected to hold the same opinions, or entertain the same sentiments, than every variety of climate or soil can be expected to furnish the same agricultural products, they can unife•in a common object and sustain common principles essential to the main tenance of that object. The gallant. men of the Soltth and the North could stand together during the struggle of the uevolution ; they could stand together In the more trying period which succeeded the clangor of arms. As their united valor was adequate to all the trials of the camp and dangers of the field, BO their united wisdom proved equal to the great er task of founding, upon.h' deep and broad basis, institutions, which' it has been our privilege to enjoy, and will ever be our most sacred duty to sustain. It is but the feebl e expression of a faith strong and universal, to say that their sons, whose blood mingled so often upon the same field, during the war of 1812, and who have more recently borne in triumph the flag of the country upon a foreign soil, will never permit alienation of feeling to weaken the power of their united efforts, nor internal dissensions to paralyze the great arm of freedom, uplifted for the vindication of self-government. I have thus briefly presented such suggestions as seem to me especially worthy of your con sideration. In providing for the present, you can hardly fail to avail yourselves of the light, which the experience of the past casts upon the future. The growth of our population has now brought us, in the destined career of our national history, to a point at which it behooves us to expand our vision over the vast prospective. The successive decimal returns of the census, since the adoption of the constitution have revealed a law of steady progressive develop- ment, which may be stated, in general terms, as a duplication every quarter of a century. Car. vied forward, from the point already reached, for only a short period of time as applicable to the existence of a nation, this law of progress, if un checked, will bring us to almost incredible re ' sults. A large allowance.for a diminished pro portional effect of emigration .would not very materially reduce the estimate, while the in creased average duration of human life, known to have already resulted - from the scientific and hygienic improvements of the past fifty years, tend to keep up through tho next fifty,.or pe haps hundred, the same ratio of growth, whrich has been thus re,vealed in our past pro. grew; and to the influenced these causes may be added the influx of -laboring masses from eastern Ksia to the Pacific aide of our passel sions, together - with 'the probable accessions of the populations already eitsiing in other parts of our hemisphere, which, within the period in ques tion, will feel, with yearly increasing forced the natural attraction of so vast,:powerful, and pros , perous a confederation of self-governing republics and will seek the privilege of being admitted within its safe and happy bosom ' transferring with themselves, by a peaceful and healthy pro cess of incorporation, spacious regions of virgin and exuberant soil, which are destined to swarm With the fast-growing and fast-spreading millions of our race. . These considerations seem fully to justify the presumption, that the law of population above . stated will continue to actwith undiminished el% fact, through at least the next half century ; and that thousands . ' of persons who have already ar rived at maturity, and are now exercising the rights of freemen, will close their eyes on the spectacle of more than one himdred millions of population, embraced within the majestic propor tions of the American Union. It is not merely as an interesting topic of speculation, that I pre sent these views for your consideration. They have important practical bearings upon all the political duties we are called upon to perform.— Heretofore our system of government has worked on what may, be termed a miniature scale, in comparison with the development, which, it must thus assume, within a future so near at hand, as scarcely to be beyond the present sf the existing generation. It is evident that a confederation so vast and so varied, both in numbers and in territorial ex tent, in-habits and in interest, could only be kept in national cohesion by the strictest fidelity to the principles of the constitution; as understood by those who have adhered to the most restricted construction of the powers granted by the people and the States. Interpreted and applied accord ing to those principles, the great compact adapts itself with healthy ease and freedom to an unli mited extension of that benign system of federa tive self-government, of which it is nur glorious, and, I trust, immortal chalacter. Let us, then, with redoubled vigilance, be on our guard against yielding to the temptation 'of the exercise of doubtful powers, even under the pressure of the motives of conceded temporary advantage and apparent temporary expediency. The minimum of federal government, compat ible with the maintenance of national unity and efficient action in our relations with the rest of , the world, should afford the rule and measure of construction of our powers under the genera clauses of the constitution. A spirit of strict de ference to the sovereign rights and dignity of every, State, rather than a disposition to subordi nate States into a provincial'relation to the cent tral authority, should characterize all our exercise of the respective powers temporarily vested in us as a sacred trust from the generous confidence of our constituents. In like manner, as a manifestly indispensable condition of the perpetuation of the Union, and of the realization of that magnificent national fu ture adverted to, does the duty become yearly stronger and clearer upon us, as citizens of the several States, to cultivate a fraternal and affec• tionate spirit, language, and conduct, in regard to other Staves, and in relation to the varied in terests, institutions, and habits of sentiment and opinion, which may 'respectively characterize them. Mutual forbearance, respect, and non-in terference in our personal action as citizens, and an enlarged exercise of the most liberal princi ples of enmity in the public dealings of State with State, whether in legislation or in the exe cation of laws, are the means to perpetuate that confidence and fraternity, the decay of which a mere political union on so vast a scale, could not long survive. In still another point of view, is an import. ant practical duty suggested by this considera tion of the magnitude of dimensions, to Which political system, with its corresponding ma• chinery of government, is so rapidly expand ing. With increased vigilance does it require us to cultivate the cardinal virtue of public frugality, and official integrity and purity-- Public affairs ought to be so conducted that a settled conviction shall pervade the entire Vll ion, that nothing short of the highest tone and standard of public morality marks every part of the administi and legislation of the general government. Thus will the federal system, whatever expansion time and prog ress may give it, continue more and more deeply rooted in the love and confidence of the people That wise economy, which is as far removed from parsimony as from corrupting extravagance,- that single regard for the public good, which will frown up on all attempts to approach the treasury with insid ious projects of private Interest cloaked under the public pretexts.—that sound fiscal administration,. which, in' the legislative department, guards against the dangerous temptation incident to overflowing revenue and. in the executive, maintains an,unaleep ing watchfulness against the tendency of all national expenditure to extravagance.—while they are admit ted elementary political duties, may, I trust. be deem ed as properly eldverted to and urged, in view of the more impressive sense of that necessity, which is di rec..y suggested by the considerations now presented. Since the adjournment of Congress,The Vice presi dent of the United States has paused from the scenes of earth. without having entered upon the duties of the station, to which he had been called by the voice of his countrymen, flaying occupied almost:continu ously. for more than thirty years, a seat in one or the other of the two Houses of Congress, and having, by his singular purity and wisdom, secured unbounded confidence and universal respect. his failing health was watched by the nation with painful solicitude. Ills loss to the country, under all the circumstances; has has beenjustly regarded as irreparable. In compliance with the act of Congress, of March 3.1053. the oath of office was administered to him on the 24th of the month, at Araidna estate, near Mantan zas, on the bland of Cuba, but his strength gradually accused, and was hardly sufficient to enable him to return to his home in Alabama. where, on the eigh teenth day or April, in the most calm and peaceful way, his long and eminently useful career was termi nated. Entertaining unlimited confidence iu your intelli gent and patriotic devotion to the public Interest, and being eenscious no motives on my part which are not inseparable from the honor and advancement of my country, I hope it may be my privilege to deserve and secure, not only your cordial co-operations In great public measures, but also those relations of mutual confidence and regard. which Is always so desirable to cultivate between members of co-ordinate branches of government. FRANKLIN PIERCE. Wa9IIINGTON, D. C., December 5, 1853. Hensler Confectionary, Fruit Al. and Toy Store.—The subscriber respectfully informs the public, that he is now prepared to fur nish all orders in his line of business; he has now ready for . sale Candies of all kind, both common and fancy. Fruit of every description, such as Oranges, Lemons, Raisins, Figs, Prunes, Dates, &c.; also nuts of every kind, such as Almonds; Fulberf;, Creamnute, Grenoble Walnuts, Peanqts, &c. lie has fitted up a room for the purpose/of showing one of the largest and most splendid as sortment of Toys ever exhibited in this city. Also sugar toys of all patterns with tLemon figures.— Ros. Cakes, Burnt Almonds, French Secrets, Mot toe Lozenges (a new article) Cough Lozenges, &c. Particular attention paid to Cake Baking; small cakes of all kinds baked to order at the shortest notice, and warranted gOod. Large cakes, such as Pound, Fruit, Sponge, Lady, Dover, Delicate, Almond,, &c., &c., iced and ornamented in a style which he defies competition, and on the most rea sonable terms. Also Balls, arties & Private Fam iles furnished with all kind of •refreshments and warranted to get the worth of their money. All arders from the country promptly attended to. SAMUEL HENSLER, No. 6 East King street nov 8 tf-42) krew London Acadimy.—New Lon 1' don Chester county, Pa., The Winter Session or this Institution will commence on the first Mon day of November, and continue five months. Terms.—Boarding and Tuition in• Sciences. Mathematics and ancient Languages, $65. The extras are Music German, French and Phonography which are taught at the usual charges. 'lli:Academy is situated in a beautiful village, distinguished for tho inte,ligence and morality of its citizens add vicinity; and offers rare induce ments to those looking for a retired and favorable place for study. Such are invited to inquire into its advantages botore going elsewhere. A Catalogue can be seen at the /Ace of the tancarder Intelli gencer, or by addressing • JAS. McDOW ELL, Principal. act 18 tr-291 W anted.— woo ibs. allow for railt Ylf will be paid at the sign of tho Last: • M. EL LOCIIF.R, oat It tf-381 No. 171. West King street,.